Saturday, February 17, 2018

Norfolk and Suffolk face battle to retain EU workers

Norfolk and Suffolk face a battle to retain "non-UK national" workers after Brexit, it has been claimed.

A report examining consequences of leaving the European Union (EU) identified challenges and opportunities for the economies of the two counties.

It was commissioned by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Norfolk and Suffolk county councils.

A government spokesman said it was aiming for a "bold and ambitious economic partnership" with the EU.

The report, compiled by consultants Metro Dynamics, said "thousands of Eastern European workers pick fruit, vegetables and salads" in Norfolk and Suffolk.

"Without access to a ready supply of relatively cheap EU labour and absent desire among UK nationals for agricultural work, farms may find it difficult to locate sufficient work for the season," it said.

The "non-UK EU nationals" might view British labour markets as "less desirable", meaning it is "highly likely" migration from the EU would drop.

Businesses also need to source alternate funding to replace some EU grants, with the report highlighting money given to the Galloper, Sheringham Shoal and Greater Gabbard wind farm projects off the Norfolk and Suffolk coast.

"EU funding plays a supporting role in all of the important sectors in Norfolk and Suffolk," it said

The report said Brexit also presents opportunities, with a chance to formulate a "regulatory regime" for the UK that could cut "red tape" while "boosting competition and investment".

It said there would be chances for businesses to exploit new markets.

Analysis by Andrew Sinclair, BBC Look East Political Correspondent

This is the second report in a week to deliver gloomy predictions for the region post-Brexit. Last week analysis by the Treasury suggested that our economy could slow down by as much as 8% over the next 15 years.

Those who ran the Remain campaign and warned of economic catastrophe are quick to say "we told you so". But the truth is that at the moment no-one knows whether we'll be better or worse off after Brexit.

Economic predictions are hard to make at the best of times. On top of that, no-one knows what our final relationship with Europe will look like. The government talks about it being "deep, special and bespoke" but until it is agreed no one can predict with any accuracy what the impact will be.

So these reports are useful because they flag up potential problems but their authors are in the dark as much as the rest of us.

On the construction sector, the report says about 50,000 people in Norfolk and Suffolk are employed in the building trade, which is "highly dependent" on free movement of workers from the EU.

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Doug Field, chairman of New Anglia LEP, said: "This comprehensive piece of research highlights some of the possible impacts of Brexit, including challenges for the local labour force and for funding and investment.

"We know that Brexit will have a significant impact and while there are still a number of uncertainties, it is useful to be able to see a fuller picture of how our key sectors may be impacted."

The government spokesman said: "We are seeking a bold and ambitious economic partnership with the EU that is of greater scope and ambition than any such existing agreement.

"After we leave the EU, we will put in place an immigration system which works in the best interests of the whole of the UK.

"There will be an implementation period after we leave the EU to avoid a cliff edge for businesses, and EU citizens already working in the UK will be able to stay."

Jamie Foxx storms off live TV interview after being asked about Katie Holmes

Jamie Foxx storms off live TV interview after being asked about Katie Holmes

It looks like Jamie Foxx really doesn’t want to talk about his romance with Katie Holmes.

The couple finally went public after four years of dating last September, but they’ve still been playing it cool. And although they were pictured looking all lovey-dovey at a pre-Grammys party, it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting the lowdown on their relationship any time soon. Jamie, 50, stormed off a live TV interview after a reporter asked him about his actress girlfriend.

The Ray star was on ESPN as he prepared to play on Team Clippers as part of the NBA All-Star Celebrity Basketball Game alongside stars including Justin Bieber, Quavo and Nick Cannon.

SportCenter’s Michael Smith asked if how he had prepared for the game, with Jamie replying: ‘I’m always prepared, it’s a ready made thing, all you gotta do is add water. As soon as you pour water on me, it’s crazy.’

Smith, who was back in the studio, then asked: ‘I know you prepared, because I saw pictures. Did you and Katie Holmes play basketball for Valentine’s Day, like some real Love and Basketball game?

Jamie smiled, took off his headset and began to walk away, with an assistant unclipping the microphone from his clothes. The actor silently left to begin warming up, with Smith saying: ‘Uh-oh. Did we lose him?’ Well, we guess a gentleman never tells. Katie, 39, and Jamie were seen emerging red-faced from a basketball game on Valentine’s Day in a rare public outing.

Friday, February 16, 2018

Hubbard Street Group Is Transforming Wicker Park's Polonia Triangle Into Open Space

Hubbard Street Group Is Transforming Wicker Park's Polonia Triangle Into Open Space

Hubbard Street Group and Centrum Realty & Development announced leases with Target and Salon Lofts within the second phase of the Wicker Park Connection project. It is the latest update to a $140M, multiphase redevelopment of the former Wicker Park Commons site into a mixed-use site featuring apartments, townhomes, retail and restaurants that will bring new residents and retailers to Wicker Park's Polish Triangle.

The 13K SF Target store at 1644 West Division won formal approval from community groups and will anchor the retail component of Wicker Park Connection's first phase, a 60-unit apartment building. The second phase, a 15-story, 146-unit apartment building, is scheduled to open in June.

What may be the most important component of the redevelopment is Hubbard Street Group's commitment to open space. One-third of the 2.5-acre site is dedicated to open space, including an S-shaped public plaza connecting Division Street and Milwaukee Avenue. To facilitate this, Hubbard Street is moving 170 parking spaces either underground or inside buildings.

Hubbard Street founder John McLinden said Wicker Park Connection will redefine the Polish Triangle for years to come. "This is the true heart of Wicker Park," McLinden said.

Hubbard Street Group Is Transforming Wicker Park's Polonia Triangle Into Open Space

McLinden said dedicating this site to open space was part of a 2009 master plan drafted by the Wicker Park-Bucktown Chamber of Commerce. Hubbard Street took the density it was entitled to and concentrated height to one large tower, allowing it to open up 30K SF for open space. It also took patience. Centrum sold the retail portion of Wicker Park Commons in 2015 and waited another two-and-half years before it bought out a lease from Kmart, allowing Hubbard Street to turn its parking lot into open space. The changes to Chicago's TOD ordinance, meanwhile, allowed Hubbard Street to conceive of the underground parking idea. "It is expensive to park underground, but getting the parking off the surface is worth it," McLinden said.

McLinden said Hubbard Street will add amenities to the open space to bring the community together, including water jets for kids to play in and public art. McLinden said Hubbard Street is in talks with a couple of restaurant tenants to join Salon Lofts in Phase 2 of Wicker Park Connection. Phases 3 and 4 will include 17 townhomes and a seven-story condo building.

Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis A virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness lasting several months. Symptoms can include fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal, and sometimes yellow eyes or skin and dark urine. A person can get Hepatitis A when they eat, drink, or touch their mouth with food, liquid or objects (including their hands) that have come into contact with stool from an infected person. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical attention immediately.
“Vaccination can prevent the disease if given within 14 days after potential exposure,” said Kathy Forzley, director of health and human services for Oakland County. “If you have eaten at this location during these dates and have not been vaccinated for hepatitis A or have a sudden onset of any symptoms, contact your doctor.”
The Health Division will host two special hepatitis A vaccine clinics. No other vaccines will be available at the following clinics:

The hepatitis A vaccine is also available through some health care providers and many pharmacies. Call ahead to ensure your provider or pharmacy has the vaccine available.

“Michigan is experiencing a serious hepatitis A outbreak. Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months,” said Dr. Pamela Hackert, medical director for the Health Division. “Hepatitis A is contagious but preventable with vaccination, good hygiene and proper sanitation of surfaces.”
The hepatitis A vaccine consists of two doses, given six months apart, and costs $36 per adult dose. If you have insurance, check with your healthcare provider for possible benefit coverage.

To reduce the risk of hepatitis A, wash your hands frequently and get the hepatitis A vaccine.

Two Years After Raising $1.3 Million, System Shock Remaster Is On 'Hiatus'

The upcoming remake of System Shock, Kickstarted two years ago for over $1.3 million, is now on “hiatus” thanks to problems with development, the company behind it said today.

Nightdive Studios, an independent game developer and publisher best known for re-releasing old games on modern platforms, said in a Kickstarter update this afternoon that the team behind this remake plans to “reassess” development before it returns to the project. CEO Stephen Kick said that they had overscoped, “envisioning doing more, but straying from the core concepts of the original title.” There’s no timeline for when we’ll see the planned overhaul to the classic 1994 first-person action game, but it’s looking grim for Kickstarter backers.

“As our concept grew and as our team changed, so did the scope of what we were doing and with that the budget for the game,” Kick said. “As the budget grew, we began a long series of conversations with potential publishing partners. The more that we worked on the game, the more that we wanted to do, and the further we got from the original concepts that made System Shock so great.”

Nightdive Studios, which is also working on a System Shock 3 with the Massachusetts-based game studio OtherSide Entertainment, had raised $1,350,700 from 21,625 backers to remake the first System Shock in June 2016. The studio released a playable demo alongside the Kickstarter